Method and apparatus for signal encoding evoked responses

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for utilizing the benefits of encoded signal transmission and reception to enhance the performance of medical testing devices ( 100 ) adapted to evoke and measure biological response signals such as auditory evoked potentials (AEP), and the auditory brainstem response (ABR) signals in particular. Auditory stimuli, such as clicks, are presented to the ear of a human patient, in a predetermined encoded sequence, resulting in the generation of auditory responses and bio-electric response signals in the human patient. These response signals from the patient are acquired and observed, and are processed according to the predetermined encoded sequence in which the auditory stimuli were presented to the patient&#39;s ear in order to extract the desired auditory evoked potential signals or ABR signals.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to, and claims priority from, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/539,945 filed on Jan. 29, 2004,herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related generally to the introduction ofauditory stimulus to a human ear, and to the detection of an evokedresponse signal and in particular, to the introduction of auditorystimulus to a human ear in a coded transmission sequence, and thedetection of associated evoked response signals in a corresponding codedsequence whereby the effects of signal noise are reduced.

BACKGROUND ART

The measuring or monitoring of evoked or continuous bioelectric signalsin a patient, such as an infant or other human patient who may beincapable of audiometric behavioral responses, is becoming anincreasingly common method for initial patient screening or monitoring,and is used in auditory testing programs to identify hearingabnormalities, or in anesthesia and sedation monitoring to determine apatient's state, such as an awareness level.

In auditory screening, it is well known that the functionality of theouter hair cells of the inner ear can be assessed with measurements ofsounds in the external ear canal generated by the inner ear, calledotoacoustic emissions (OAE). The sounds which are generated by the innerear in response to a single introduced click are called transient evokedOAE (TEOAE). Sounds in the inner ear which are generated in response tothe presentation of two simultaneous tones are called distortion productOAE (DPOAE).

As shown in FIG. 1, a TEOAE is generated in response to a transient testsignal, usually a sequence of discrete square waves (clicks). The levelof these clicks is typically between 35 dB SPL and 90 dB SPL. Inresponse to these test signals, a normal human ear generates a wide bandresponse signal up to 20 ms in duration after the introduction of eachclick. As shown in FIG. 1, the spectrum ST of this response can becompared against the spectrum of ambient noise SA to identify normal orabnormal hearing.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2, a DPOAE is generated in a human ear inresponse to the presentation of two simultaneous tonal signals, s1 ands2 with associated frequencies f1, and f2, with f2>f2. Typically, theratio of the frequency of f2 to f1 is selected to be about 1.2, withamplitudes |s1|=65 dB SPL and |s2|=55 db SPL in the ear canal. Inresponse to these signals, a normal human ear generates, among others, athird tonal signal, the DPOAE at frequency 2f1-f2, which can be measuredto identify normal or abnormal hearing.

An alternative method for testing the hearing of a human patientutilizes surface electrodes to detect bioelectric signals in a humanpatient which are generated in response to the introduction of anauditory stimulus. These bioelectric signals can be used both inauditory screening and in brain activity monitoring during anesthesia orsedation. An auditory evoked potential (AEP) is generated in a humanpatient upon presentation of an auditory stimulus or series of stimuli,such as clicks or tone bursts. The AEP can be characterized by threecomponents which refer to the latency of the bioelectric signal responsewith respect to the introduction of the stimulus; these are referred toas early, middle, and late AEP components.

The early or short latency component of the AEP, also known as theauditory brainstem response (ABR), occurs within the first 15 ms afterthe presentation of the auditory stimulus in the human ear and is widelyused for clinical evaluation of hearing in infants and other individualswho are unable to effectively communicate whether a sound was detected.In individuals with normal hearing, the ABR generates a characteristicneural waveform shown in FIG. 3.

Auditory testing using the ABR typically involves a visual orstatistical comparison of a tested individual's waveform to a normaltemplate waveform. Like other evoked potentials, the ABR is recordedfrom surface electrodes on the scalp. However, the electrodes alsorecord the background noise comprised of unwanted bio-potentialsresulting from other neural activity, muscle activity, and unwantednon-physiological sources in the environment.

The middle component of the AEP, the auditory mid-latency response(AMLR), also referred to as the middle latency auditory evoked potential(MLAEP) occurs 15 ms-100 ms after the presentation of the auditorystimulus to the human patient, and is believed to reflect primary,non-cognitive, cortical processing of auditory stimuli. Lately, theAMLR, or MLAEP, has been of particular interest as a measure of depth ofanesthesia.

It is known that the AMLR consists of positive and negative waves thatare sensitive to sedatives and anesthetics. In general, increasing thelevel of sedation or anesthetic increases the latency of these waves,and simultaneously decreases the amplitudes. For monitoring purposes,changes in the AMLR waves are quantified as latency to peak, amplitude,and rate of change, and are sometimes combined in a single index.

Another component of the AEP, the auditory late response (ALR) occursabout 100 ms after the introduction of auditory stimulus to the humanpatient, and is believed to be especially sensitive to the level ofsedation or anesthesia applied to a patient, and exhibits a distinctflattening of the waveform at a relatively light level of sedation oranesthesia, among other features.

It is further known that a 40 Hz auditory signal can induce an enhanced“steady-state” AEP response signal in a human patient. Conventionalsignal averaging over a period of time is required to extract the AEPsignal from background EEG signals, and adequate responses usually maybe obtainable in about 30-40 seconds. The existence of an intact AEP isbelieved to be a highly specific indicator for the awake state of apatient, and gradual changes in the depth of sedation or anesthesiaappear to be reflected by corresponding gradual changes in the AEP.

Several methods of encoding conventional signals for transmission andreception are known which provide a resistance to signal noise. Fortransmitted and received signals there are two variables, frequency andtime. Division by frequency, so that each pair of communicators(transmitter and receiver) is allocated part of the spectrum for all ofthe time, results in Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA). Divisionby time, so that each pair of communicators is allocated all (or atleast a large part) of the spectrum for part of the time results in TimeDivision Multiple Access (TDMA). In Code Division Multiple Access(CDMA), every communicator will be allocated the entire spectrum all ofthe time. CDMA uses codes to identify connections. In this transmissiontechnique, the frequency spectrum of a data-signal is spread using acode uncorrelated with that signal. As a result the bandwidth occupancyis much higher then required.

Code Division Multiple Access uses unique spreading codes to spread thebaseband data before transmission. The signal is transmitted in achannel, which is below noise level. The receiver then uses a correlatorto despread the wanted signal, which is passed through a narrow bandpassfilter. Unwanted signals or noise will not be despread and will not passthrough the filter. Spreading codes take the form of a carefullydesigned one/zero sequence produced at a much higher rate than that ofthe baseband data. The rate of a spreading code is referred to as chiprate rather than bit rate.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a method and apparatusfor utilizing the benefits of a coded signal transmission andcorresponding coded response reception to enhance the performance ofmedical testing devices adapted to introduce an auditory signal to evokea response, and to measure bio-potentials such as auditory evokedpotentials and auditory brainstem response signals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, the present invention provides a method for utilizingthe benefits of coded signal transmissions and corresponding codedresponse reception to enhance the performance of medical testing devicesadapted to evoke and measure bio-potential signals such as auditoryevoked potentials and auditory brainstem response signals. In apreferred embodiment, auditory stimuli, such as clicks, are presented tothe ear of a human patient, in a predetermined coded sequence, resultingin the generation of corresponding coded auditory or bio-electricresponse signals in the human patient. These auditory or bio-electricresponse signals from the patient are acquired and observed, and areprocessed according to the predetermined coded sequence in which theauditory stimuli were presented to the patient's ear in order to extractthe desired response, such as the auditory evoked potential signals orABR signals.

In an alternate embodiment, the present invention provides a method forutilizing the benefits of coded signal transmissions and correspondingcoded response reception to enhance the performance of medical testingdevices adapted to evoke and measure a variety of bio-potential responsesignals. Stimuli selected to evoke a desired bio-potential responsesignal in a patient are presented to the patient in a predeterminedcoded sequence, resulting in the generation of corresponding codedbio-electric response signals in the patient. These bio-electric signalsfrom the patient are acquired and observed, and are processed accordingto the predetermined coded sequence in which the stimuli were presentedto the patient in order to extract the desired evoked potential signalsfor further processing.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention as well as presently preferred embodiments thereof will becomemore apparent from the reading of the following description inconnection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:

FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of a prior art TEOAE responsespectrum and an ambient noise spectrum;

FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of a prior art pair of test tonesand a typical DPOAE response tone;

FIG. 3 is a prior art graphical representation of an auditory brainstemresponse to stimulus, compared with a no-stimulus signal;

FIG. 4 is a prior art illustration of the different types ofspread-spectrum signal transmission and reception techniques;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the components of a medical testing deviceof the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flow-chart of a method of the present invention,illustrating a sequence of encoded stimuli delivered to a patient toproducing a sequence of correspondingly encoded evoked potentialresponses.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several figures of the drawings.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way ofexample and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enablesone skilled in the art to make and use the invention, describes severalembodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of theinvention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode ofcarrying out the invention.

The method of the present invention utilizes encoded stimuli signaltransmissions to enhance the performance of a medical testing deviceconfigured to evoke and measure bio-potentials, such as auditory evokedpotentials and auditory brainstem response signals. A suitable medicaltesting device is shown in published PCT Application No. WO 00/65983 A1for “Handheld Audiometric Device and Method of Testing Hearing”, hereinincorporated by reference.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a medical testing device 100 forotoacoustic auditory emission testing and auditory brainstem responsetesting is configured to utilize encoded stimuli signal transmissions ofthe present invention. A digital signal processor 102 or other suitablelogic circuit provide control for the medical testing device 100. Allsignal processing functions are preferably performed by the digitalsignal processor 102, including the execution of software instruction102A for the encoding of stimuli signal transmissions with a spreadingcode prior to transmission, and the subsequent processing or decoding ofreceived response signals.

A memory subsystem 104 is operatively connected to the digital signalprocessor 102. The memory subsystem 104 includes a random access memory(RAM) 104A for storing intermediate results and holding temporaryvariables, and a flash memory 104B for storing non-volatile,electrically programmable variables, test result data and systemconfiguration information. A memory mapped input/output device 106 isoperatively connected to the memory subsystem 104 and to the digitalsignal processor 102. The memory mapped input/output 106 in turn isoperatively connected to an LCD display 108, a keyboard 110, an outputLED indicator 112 and a real time clock 114.

The device 100 preferably enables the LCD display 108 to present signalinformation to a user graphically in real time on the device 100 itself,complemented with textual and numeric information about the quality ofthe data, signal amplitudes, signal frequency, noise floors and otherrelated signal information.

The real-time clock 114 is operatively connected to the processor 102through the memory mapped input/output device 106. The real-time clock114 enables the processor 102 to provide a time stamp for each datacollection or test performed.

The optional output LED 112 is used to convey test results tonon-trained users to avoid confusion or misinterpretation of the LCDgraphics display 108. For example, the processor 102 may be programmedto illuminate the output LED 112 when a set of predetermined inputcriteria, such as a signal strength are at or above a minimum value,indicative of a human patient passing an auditory screening test. Theoutput LED 112 further allows the use of the device 100 in low lightareas, where the LCD display 108 may be difficult to read or interpret.

At least one analog to digital/digital to analog coder/decoder 116 isoperatively connected to the signal processor 102 along a dedicatedserial link 118. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, thecodec 116 is a special integrated circuit configured to perform analogto digital and digital to analog conversion. The codec 116 isoperatively associated with one or more input/output device interfaces120, such as an OAE interface 120A or an ABR interface 120B, whichprovide the functionality of the device 100 under control of theprocessor 102.

Other components of the medical testing device 100 which may beoperatively coupled to the digital signal processor 102 include arechargeable power supply 122 with an associated charging subsystem 124and indicator LED 126, as well as an external data communication link,such as a serial port 128.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the medicaltesting device illustrated in FIG. 5 to carry out the method of thepresent invention is exemplary, and that a wide variety of medicaltesting devices configured for the transmission of a stimulus signal toa human patient and the subsequent observation and/or measurement of abio-response signal may be adapted to utilize the methods of the presentinvention, set forth below.

Turning to FIG. 6, the basic steps in the method of the presentinvention are illustrated. A set of stimuli signals, such as audibleclicks, tones, or flashes of light are presented by a suitable medicaltesting device to a human patient at a high frequency, and in apredetermined encoded sequence. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a setof discrete and uniformly spaced stimulus signals are encoded in apredetermined pattern using a spreading code by the addition of one ormore stimulus signals spaced at varying intervals. Spreading codes takethe form of a predetermined one/zero sequence, and as applied to thepresentation of stimuli signals, a “one” value in the sequencecorresponds to the transmission of a stimulus signal, while a “zero”value in the sequence corresponds to an absence of a transmission.

The specific number and spacing of the additional stimulus signals isbased on a predetermined mathematical encoding format, preferablyselected from a set of transmission encoding formats which are known tobe highly resistant to signal noise and interference. For example,Hadamard and Fourier encoding patterns, such as described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,488,474 to Fateley et al., herein incorporated by reference, maybe utilized with suitable medical testing devices. The resulting encodedsequence of stimulus signals is then presented to the human patient in aconventional manner by the medical testing device, such as with aspeaker for auditory stimuli signals, or a light for visual stimulisignals.

The stimuli signals presented to the human patient are selected to evokeknown bio-potential or auditory responses, which are detectable usingconventional detection devices, such as electrodes or microphonescoupled to the medical testing device. These evoked response signals arecontained within the background noise naturally present in electricalpotential or auditory signals from the human body, and hence must befiltered and processed prior to identification. The medical testingdevice is configured with a correlator component, either as a dedicatedcircuit or as a software algorithm, to de-spread the wanted signals,which are passed through a narrow bandpass filter. Unwanted signals ornoise will not be despread and will not pass through the filter.Utilizing the predetermined encoded sequence of stimulus signals as partof the filtering and processing step facilities identification of thepresence and strength of the response signals by the medical testingdevice, allowing for accurate reconstruction of the desired responsesignals and filtering of undesired signal noise.

The present invention can be embodied in-part the form ofcomputer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing thoseprocesses. The present invention can also be embodied in-part in theform of computer program code containing instructions embodied intangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or another computer readable storage medium, wherein, when the computerprogram code is loaded into, and executed by, an electronic device suchas a computer, micro-processor or logic circuit, the device becomes anapparatus for practicing the invention.

The present invention can also be embodied in-part in the form ofcomputer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium,loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over sometransmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, throughfiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when thecomputer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, thecomputer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. Whenimplemented in a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer programcode segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logiccircuits.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained. Asvarious changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

1. A method for evoking and measuring response signals in a humanpatient, comprising: providing a plurality of discrete stimulus signalsto the human patient in a predetermined encoded sequence, each of saiddiscrete stimulus signals selected to evoke at least one desiredresponse signal in the human patient; acquiring unfiltered signals fromthe human patient, said acquired unfiltered response signals includingsignal noise; and utilizing said predetermined encoded sequence toextract said desired response signals from said acquired unfilteredresponse signals.
 2. The method of claim 1 for evoking and measuringresponse signals wherein each of said discrete stimulus signals areauditory signals.
 3. The method of claim 1 for evoking and measuringresponse signals wherein each of said discrete stimulus signals arevisual signals.
 4. The method of claim 1 for evoking and measuringresponse signals wherein said predetermined sequence is encoded in aredundant encoding format.
 5. The method of claim 1 for evoking andmeasuring response signals wherein said predetermined sequence isencoded in a Hadamard encoding format.
 6. The method of claim 1 forevoking and measuring response signals wherein said at least one desiredresponse signal is an auditory evoked signal.
 7. The method of claim 6for evoking and measuring response signals wherein said at least onedesired response signal is an auditory brainstem response signal.
 8. Themethod of claim 6 for evoking and measuring response signals whereinsaid at least one desired response signal is an otoacoustic auditoryemission.
 9. The method of claim 1 for evoking and measuring responsesignals wherein said at least one desired response signal is a visuallyevoked bio-potential signal.
 10. The method of claim 1 for evoking andmeasuring response signals wherein said at least one desired responsesignal is a tactile evoked bio-potential signal.
 11. A medical testingdevice for evoking and measuring response signals in a human patient,comprising: a processing means, said processing means configured with asoftware application to generate at least one predetermined sequence ofstimuli signals for evoking a response in a human patient; a signaltransmission means operatively coupled to said processing means, saidsignal transmission means configured to transmit said at least onesequence of stimuli signals to the human patient; a signal receivingmeans operatively coupled to said processing means, said signalreceiving means configured to receive at least one unfiltered responsesignal from said human patient; and wherein said processing means isfurther configured with a software application to process said receivedunfiltered response signal to extract a sequence of evoked responsesignals associated with said at least one predetermined sequence ofstimuli signals.
 12. The medical testing device of claim 11 wherein saidsignal transmission means is a microphone.
 13. The medical testingdevice of claim 11 wherein said signal transmission means is a lightsource.
 14. The medical testing device of claim 11 wherein said signalreceiving means includes at least one microphone.
 15. The medicaltesting device of claim 11 wherein said signal receiving means includesat least one electrode.
 16. The medical testing device of claim 11wherein said predetermined sequence of stimuli signals is an encodedsequence.